Inevitably you will find yourself in a room where no one else is like you. They might not look like you, speak like you, pray or love like you or think like you. Managing to be effective in all contexts is an essential part of your journey towards reaching your full potential and so we asked some brilliant members of the community to share their stories and advice.
Audrey Willis
Being the ‘only’ in the room has taken many forms throughout my career: whether it’s being the only Black woman, the only mother, or the only person without a degree, I’ve faced those moments where I was the ‘other.’ Initially, I viewed this as a barrier, thinking it impacted how others saw my success, and to an extent, it did. However, over time, maturity and experience shifted my perspective. Read more>>
Farid Ghanbari
I learnt to become active not successful. I think if I put success as my goal it can make me confused and sometimes drag my energy. Absolutely that can be a result of hard working and being constantly active on the right path, but I rather just focus on that part that I can manage which is being active and keep moving. Maybe that is why a lot of times I just keep moving and don’t care if there are some people watching me or not. Read more>>
Mike Rohde
Since I was young, I’ve found myself in unusual places where I was the one who was different from other people in the group. In grade school, I was the one who could draw. In high school, I was an artist working in a print shop. In college, I was a printing student in the design class. Then, I became a design student in the printing classes. In my first job, I was the designer who would just as easily hang out with press operators or fellow designers. Read more>>
Felicia Ford
I first became aware of how people saw me in kindergarten. One of my closest friends pointed at my skin and told me I was Black. She held her arm next to mine and said, “Look!” That moment stayed with me, and when I got home, I raised my arm beside my mom’s to compare. She looked at me and asked, “What are you doing, little girl?” It was in that moment I asked her what it meant to be Black. Even though my skin was lighter than hers, I told her I wanted to be the same complexion. Read more>>
Sholanty Taylor
“As a Black woman, I’ve learned how to navigate spaces where I’m often the only one who looks like me by following a few key principles. The first is understanding that, for many, perception is reality. So, looking the part is crucial. Your presence alone should communicate that you belong in the room, even if you’re not immediately given the chance to speak. What you wear and how you carry yourself can leave a lasting impression before you even say a word. Read more>>
Randy Belham
Being the only one in the room can sometimes feel challenging. Still, I have learned to see it as an opportunity rather than a setback. Early in my life, I realized that worrying about others’ opinions only dilutes my purpose. I prioritize keeping my purpose top of mind and staying grounded in a strong vision and mission statement that aligns with my values. Read more>>
Eric Hylick
In the journey of my career, I’ve often found myself as the only one in the room who looked like me—whether in boardrooms, client meetings, or high-stakes conferences. At first, the reality of being the only person with my background in these settings felt isolating. I wondered if my voice would resonate, if my perspectives would be understood, and if my unique path would be valued among those who followed more traditional routes. Yet, through these experiences, I discovered that my distinct perspective wasn’t just valuable—it was my greatest strength. Read more>>
Melissa Daly
Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room? Or like all eyes were on you, but of you chocked up, that one mistake would haunt you for the rest of your life? Well I have always seemed to feel that way, from childhood to adulthood. I’m not sure why I have always put such pressure on myself, but it has had a huge impact on the way I not only view myself, but my business. Being a perfectionist has its down falls, but an important lesson I have learned while starting a new business is you can not be afraid of failure, or that failure could hold you back from your highest potential. Read more>>
Kim Lewars
Ok so it was 2018. I was so happy to land a job at a great company—an opportunity I had worked hard for. When I showed up for the interview, I couldn’t help but notice that none of the people looked like me. After 3 long interviews, I got the job and I quickly realized that I wasn’t seeing anyone else who shared my background or experiences. No one walking around the building had dark skin like mine, no one had big lips like mine, and no one seemed to speak or move through the world in the same way I did. I’ve had to “teach” things like “don’t touch my hair” or “I don’t like how your words made me feel” Read more>>
Marc D. Lyons
There’s a line I wrote for one of my plays that says “It’s hard being a black man in America, then you want to add being gay and you’re just asking for trouble!” I found myself often being the “only one” in rooms . Whether it’s the only gay guy or the only black guy. And in this era, suddenly you’re required to form an opinion or make a declaration that will speak for the entire community just by being there. Read more>>
Andrew Chukwuka Egbuchiem
I generally have developed the mentality of focusing on my personal journey over the last 10 years. I try very hard to shut out all the noise and work very hard to focus on the journey I see right in front of me. Everyone has a version of you they wish to see or see and what is most important to me is how I see myself and what I see about myself. I cannot be everyone else’s version whilst killing the version I see besides the truth is I know myself better than anyone else. This is how I have learned to be effective or successful when I am the only one in a room that looks like me. I just be me and go from there. Read more>>
Ariane Hunter
I’ve been practicing how to be the only one in the room since I was about ten. I grew up in a mostly male-dominated family with older brothers and cousins, so I learned early on how to stand my ground in spaces where I was often the only girl. Then, when my family moved to a new neighborhood, I went from being in culturally diverse classrooms to being one of the only Black girls in my elementary school. That was a moment when I had to learn how to make my presence known in spaces where I wasn’t necessarily expected. Read more>>
Danny Schlabach
Honestly? Trial and error. I got loads of stories about my failures, but the times I succeeded from those failures are the most captivating stories to talk about. From foster family to foster family at a young age to changing my whole name, status, and language. From the unreasonably hard streets of southern California to the lawless countryside of southern Oregon. It’s always been an uphill journey since the start. The surprisingly hardest part? Being colored through all of it. You wouldn’t think it hard for an adolescent Hispanic boy in Oregon, even in California my identity of people is abundant and seeing that culture paint the streets is normal, but it’s the expectations from all sides that wear down the optimism of the naturally hopeful. I’d say I was kinder as a kid. More tolerant. The issue is how people like to walk on smiles, turn from open hands, and ridicule different appearances. Read more>>
Jaqlin Medlock
As a dancer and dance photographer who is hard of hearing, I’ve navigated unique challenges that have shaped my approach to creativity and collaboration. While I may not always feel patient with myself, I have developed a strong awareness of the energy in the room, relying heavily on visual cues. This ability allows me to be uniquely present, translating well into my photography, where I capture the essence of movement and emotion in ways that might not be immediately obvious to others. Read more>>
Melody Delgado
Being the only one in the room who may look different can present its challenges, yet over time, I’ve discovered that the unique presence I bring is valuable and can significantly contribute to what I offer. I’ve learned to embrace my unique ideas, regardless of them being good or bad, and to use them to my advantage for innovative thinking and introducing fresh perspectives. Moreover, forging strong relationships has been crucial to my success. My close circle of connections has provided me with support and guidance that I believe would not have been as rich through experience alone. Finally, as part of maintaining a balanced self-care routine, it’s important for me to continuously seek and enhance my skills. Read more>>
Sandhya Sabapathy
Embracing My Uniqueness: Turning Being “The Only One” into a Superpower. Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace the fact that I’m often the only person in the room who looks like me—whether that’s as a person of color, a woman, or someone from the LGBTQIA+ community. What may initially feel like a challenge has evolved into my superpower. Here’s how I’ve transformed this uniqueness into an advantage: Read more>>
